Volkswagen not interested in F1 slot

Volkswagen has told ESPN that it is not interested in entering Formula One after the FIA opened up a search for a new team.

It was announced on Wednesday that the FIA would be looking for a new team "to participate at a competitive level in the FIA Formula One World Championship from the start of the 2015 or 2016 season up to 2020 inclusive". With initial interest having to be registered by 3 January 2014 and the FIA looking to make a final decision on 28 February 2014, the short time-frame could mean the FIA already has received strong interest.

The Volkswagen Group boasts the likes of Audi, Lamborghini and Porsche among its brands, but when contacted by ESPN about whether the company was aware of the FIA's search a spokesman dismissed any interest.

"Currently there are no plans or intentions for the Volkswagen brand or any other brand of the Volkswagen Group to join Formula One," he said.